Washing Machine With An Improved Washing/Rinsing-Liquid Inlet Circuit

ABSTRACT

A washing machine ( 1 ) has a washing tub ( 5 ) containing a rotary perforated drum ( 6 ), and a washing/rinsing-liquid dispenser ( 8 ) including a housing ( 9 ) and a drawer ( 10 ), removably associated to the housing ( 9 ), provided with one or more compartments ( 11   a   , 11   b ) adapted to be filled with washing and/or rinsing products. The washing/rinsing-liquid dispenser has a water distributor ( 14 ) provided with at last two inlet connectors ( 15   a   , 15   b ), connectable, upstream, to a water source, and fluidly connected, downstream, to an air-gap ( 16 ) from which at least two ducts ( 17   a   , 17   b ) branch off. The at least two ducts are fluidly connected to the inlet connectors ( 15   a   , 15   b ) and adapted for conveying water to the compartments ( 11   a   , 11   b ). A water line ( 13 ), fluidly connects the washing/rinsing-liquid dispenser ( 8 ) and the tub ( 5 ). The washing/rinsing-liquid dispenser ( 8 ) has a by-pass line ( 20 ), fluidly connected, upstream, to at least one of the inlet connectors, and extending substantially from the air-gap ( 16 ). The by-pass line is fluidly separated from the ducts ( 17   a   , 17   b ) and from the compartments ( 11   a   , 11   b ), and is adapted to allow the flow of clean water from the washing/rinsing-liquid dispenser ( 8 ) to the tub ( 5 ).

The present invention refers to a washing machine with an improvedwashing/rinsing-liquid inlet circuit.

Nowadays washing machines, both “simple” washing machines (i.e. washingmachines which can only wash and rinse the laundry), and washing-dryingmachines (i.e. washing machines which can also thy the laundry), usuallycomprise an external casing provided with a loading/unloading door whichallows the access to a washing tub containing a rotary perforated drumin which the laundry to be washed can be loaded.

Water and washing or rinsing products (i.e. detersives, softeners,bleaching, etc.) are admitted in the tub, and therefore in the rotatingdrum contained in the latter, by a water supply circuit connected to thewater delivery mains present outside the machine; after the washing orrinsing phases, water is discharged from the tub by a discharge circuit.

The water supply circuit comprises a first conduit, fluidly connected,downstream, with the tub, and, upstream, with the bottom of an housing,associated to the casing, containing a removable drawer provided withvarious compartments adapted to be filled with washing and/or rinsingproducts.

The water supply circuit also comprises a water dispenser placed abovethe drawer and fluidly connected, upstream, typically via appositeelectromagnetic inlet valves, with one or more conduits fluidlyconnectable to the water delivery mains.

The water dispenser is arranged in such a way that, by acting on theelectromagnetic valves, it is possible to convey clean (or fresh) water,coming from the water delivery mains, to one or more compartments of thedrawer, so as to flush out the products contained therein, which are inthis way adducted to the bottom of the housing, and from there, via thefirst conduit, to the tub.

Usually the water dispenser comprises a so called “air-gap” or “airbreak”, that is a gap, or opening, obtained in the water path presentinside the water dispenser, in such a way to ensure that only a streamof water, opportunely directed, can flow through this gap towards thetub, while water can't flow, through this gap, from the tub to the waterdelivery mains (as could instead happen, for example in case of fault ofthe draining circuit, if no air-gap is provided).

A washing machine of this kind is illustrated, for example, in theEuropean Patent n. EP 0 597 274, which disclosed a clothes washingmachine, in particular of the household type, comprising a washing tub,a drum for holding the washload, a water inlet conduit from the watersupply mains, an electromagnetic valve provided in the inlet conduit, afirst offshoot conduit, placed downstream the electromagnetic valve,which conveys the water from the water supply mains into a launderingproduct dispenser through an air break; the dispenser is placed above aplurality of compartments adapted for holding washing and rinsing agentsand communicating with a siphon, placed between the compartments and thewashing tub, via a conduit that conveys towards the siphon the watermixed with the washing or rinsing agents which flows out of thecompartments.

This washing machine also comprises a second water offshoot conduit,provided with a respective air break and situated between theelectromagnetic valve and the air gap, which flows into the conduitconnecting the compartments and the siphon. The air break is constitutedby an interruption obtained by means of an injector located in avertical descending section of the second offshoot conduit; the waterissuing from the injector flows into the conduit.

This washing machine has however the drawback that it doesn't guaranteethe possibility to obtain the wetting of the laundry with clean waterbefore the adduction of the water mixed with washing agents into thetub. In fact, since the second offshoot conduit flows into the conduitconnecting the compartments and the siphon, even if the second offshootconduit would be feed with clean water, there is the possibility thatthis clean water, before entering the tub, would mix with washing and/orrinsing products which remain in the conduit or in the siphon.

The wetting of the laundry with clean water before the adduction of thewashing agents would be however desirable, because the effect of thewashing agents on the laundry wetted by clean water is faster and moreeffective. Moreover the presence of the second offshoot circuitincreases the complexity of the washing machine, and causes alsoencumbrance problems (e.g. less space for other components inside theexternal casing of the washing machine, difficulty to fulfil externaldimensions restrictions, etc.).

European patent n. EP 1 568 814 discloses a detergent dispenser for awashing machine comprising a box shaped recess and a washing agentdrawer slidably mounted in the recess; the drawer is provided with aplurality of separate compartments for containing wash and/or rinseproducts to be flushed by an incoming water flow into the tub of thewashing machine. Once the water has passed through the compartments, themixture of water and washing agent passes through openings placed in therear portion of the drawer, and is carried to the rear portion of therecess, and then to an opening for discharge into the tub of themachine.

In order to avoid the build-up of detergent residuals on the front andbottom portion of the recess, the latter is provided, on its bottomsurface, on a side thereof, with a channel presenting a feeding endportion, fed by the water distributor device, and a second end curvedportion which directs the water flow towards the front and bottomportion of the recess; the fresh water fed to the end portion of thechannel is therefore guided to the front and bottom portion of therecess, cleaning this portion from detergent residuals.

Also in this case there is however the drawback that there isn't theguarantee to be able to obtain the wetting of the laundry with cleanwater before the adduction of the water mixed with washing agents intothe tub; in fact the channel for the fresh water flows into the frontand bottom portion of the recess, where there could be detergentresiduals which could mix with the fresh water.

European patent n. EP 0 719 884 discloses a washing machine providedwith a washing-agent flushing-in mechanism comprising at least one freshwater inlet, a downstream free air path, a water-conducting channel forfeeding fresh water into a washing agent chamber and a fresh waterbranch duct connected to the channel downstream of the free air pathwith respect to the flow direction through the inlet air path andchannel. The branch duct is connected to the water-conducting channelfor a preliminary washing agent chamber, which is in turn fluidlyconnected to the washing tub. The machine has a frontal loading doorwith a window and the branch duct is connected to a nozzle directed fromabove onto an inward surface of the window.

Also this washing machine has however a drawback; in fact the branchduct is fluidly connected to the preliminary washing agent chamber, andthe adduction of fresh water to the branch duct involves always theadduction of fresh water also to the preliminary washing agent chamber,in which there could be detergent residuals which could be flowed intothe tub by the fresh water. It isn't therefore possible to supply onlyfresh water to the branch duct, and therefore also in this case thereisn't the guarantee to be able to wet the laundry only with fresh waterbefore the adduction of the water mixed with washing agents into thetub.

Furthermore, the presence of the branch duct increases the complexity ofthe washing machine, and causes also encumbrance problems.

The aim of the present invention is therefore to obtain a washingmachine which allows introducing selectively in the tub clean or freshwater, without the risk that the latter would come into contact withwashing or rinsing agent before entering the tub.

Within this aim, another object of the invention is to allow theintroduction of clean or fresh water in the tub without increasing thecomplexity or the dimensions of the circuit for the adduction of waterand/or detergents to the tub.

Another object of the present invention is to reduce the costs forassembly the circuit for the adduction of water and/or detergents to thetub.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to solve theabove-noted problems, thereby doing away with the drawbacks of the citedprior art.

The Applicant has found that by the use of a by-pass line, fluidlyconnectable to a water source, extending substantially from the air-gappresent in the water distributor of a washing/rinsing-liquid dispenserof a washing machine, and fluidly separated from the channels adaptedfor conveying water to the compartments adapted to be filled withwashing and/or rinsing products, it is possible to selectively introducein the tub clean or fresh water without the risk that the latter wouldcome into contact with a washing or rinsing agent before entering thetub.

In particular, the above-mentioned aim and objects, as well as othersthat will become better apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a washingmachine comprising:

-   -   a washing tub containing a rotary perforated drum;    -   a washing/rinsing-liquid dispenser comprising a housing and a        drawer, removably associated to the housing, provided with one        or more compartments adapted to be filled with washing and/or        rinsing products, the washing/rinsing-liquid dispenser        comprising a water distributor provided with at last two inlet        connectors, connectable, upstream, to a water source, and        fluidly connected, downstream, to an air-gap from which at least        two ducts branch off, the at least two ducts being fluidly        connected to the inlet connectors and adapted for conveying        water to the compartments;    -   a water line, fluidly connecting said washing/rinsing-liquid        dispenser and said tub.

The washing/rinsing-liquid dispenser comprises a by-pass line, fluidlyconnected, upstream, to at least one of the inlet connectors, andextending substantially from the air-gap, the by-pass line being fluidlyseparated from the ducts and from the compartments, and being adapted toallow the flow of clean water from the washing/rinsing-liquid dispenserto the tub.

Advantageously the by-pass line comprises a first conduit portionextending substantially from the air-gap and obtained in a region of thewater distributor not interested by the ducts, the first conduit portionbeing fluidly connected, upstream, to one or more of the inletconnectors, and being fluidly separated from the one or morecompartments.

In a first embodiment the first conduit portion extends, from theair-gap, substantially longitudinally across the water distributortowards a frontal end of the water distributor.

In a further embodiment the first conduit portion extends towards therear end of the water distributor.

Opportunely the by-pass line comprises a second conduit portion fluidlyconnected, upstream, to the first conduit portion, and, downstream, tothe tub, the second conduit portion being fluidly separated from the oneor more compartments.

Advantageously the second conduit portion is provided in/at a lateralwall of the housing.

Opportunely the second conduit portion is arranged in proximity to thefrontal end of the housing, opposite to the inlet connectors.

In another embodiment the second conduit portion extends substantiallylongitudinally along the lateral wall of the housing.

In a further embodiment the second conduit portion is provided at leastpartially in/at the housing and at least partially in/at the drawer.

In a further embodiment thereof, the second conduit portion is providedtotally in/at the drawer.

Opportunely the second conduit portion is obtained between the bottom ofthe drawer and an external tray fixed to such a bottom.

In a further embodiment, the second conduit portion is obtained in asingle-piece construction with the drawer, in such a way that the secondconduit portion is fluidly separated from the compartments.

Preferably the second conduit portion is fluidly connected, downstream,to the water line, via an aperture obtained in the housing.

According to another aspect of the invention, the water line comprisesone or more single-piece elements comprising a first conduit, fluidlyconnecting the one or more compartments and the tub, and a secondconduit, fluidly separated from the first conduit, the second conduitbeing fluidly connected, upstream, to the by-pass line, and beingfluidly connected, downstream, to the tub, the first and second conduitsbeing obtained in single-piece construction.

In a further embodiment, a recirculation circuit is provided, adapted todrain the washing/rinsing-liquid from the bottom of the tub and tore-admit this re-circulated washing/rinsing-liquid into an upper regionof the tub, the recirculation circuit being fluidly connected to thesecond conduit of one of the one or more single-piece elements, in sucha way that the re-circulated washing/rinsing-liquid is admitted into thetub via the second conduit.

Features and advantages of the present invention will anyway be morereadily understood from the description that is given below by way ofnon-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a washing machine according to theinvention, in which some internal components, not visible from theoutside, have been represented in dotted lines;

FIG. 2 is lateral view, partially sectioned, of the washing machinerepresented in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a prospective view, partially sectioned, of a particular ofthe washing machine illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the washing/rinsing-liquid dispenser of thewashing machine represented in the previous Figures;

FIG. 5 is a prospective view of the washing/rinsing-liquid dispenser ofFIG. 4, sectioned along plane V-V of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a prospective view of the washing/rinsing-liquid dispenser ofFIG. 4, sectioned along plane VI-VI of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a second embodiment of a washing/rinsing-liquiddispenser of a washing machine according to the invention;

FIG. 8 is a prospective view of the washing/rinsing-liquid dispenser ofFIG. 7, sectioned along plane VIII-VIII of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a prospective view of the washing/rinsing-liquid dispenser ofFIG. 7, sectioned along plane IX-IX of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a third embodiment of a washing/rinsing-liquiddispenser of a washing machine according to the invention;

FIG. 11 is a prospective view of the washing/rinsing-liquid dispenser ofFIG. 10, sectioned along plane XI-XI of FIG. 11;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged particular of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a prospective view of the washing/rinsing-liquid dispenser ofFIG. 10, sectioned along plane XIII-XIII of FIG. 10;

FIG. 14 is a first prospective and exploded view of thewashing/rinsing-liquid dispenser of FIG. 10;

FIG. 15 is a second prospective and exploded view of thewashing/rinsing-liquid dispenser of FIG. 10;

FIG. 16 is a prospective view of a particular of a further embodiment ofa washing machine according to the invention;

FIG. 17 is a prospective view, partially sectioned, of a particular ofthe washing machine represented in FIG. 16.

It is seen therefore how the invention achieves the proposed aim andobjects, there being provided a washing machine 1 comprising an externalcasing 2 in which an access opening 3 is obtained, provided with aloading/unloading door 4, which allows the access to a washing tub 5,contained in the external casing 2, and containing, in turn, a rotary,perforated, drum 6 in which the laundry to be washed, not illustrated,can be loaded.

In the embodiments illustrated in the enclosed Figures, the washingmachine 1 is a “simple” washing machine (i.e. a washing machine whichcan only wash and rinse the laundry), of the front loading type; in afurther embodiment, not illustrated, of the invention, the washingmachine can however be a “simple” washing machine of the top-loadingtype, or also a washing-drying machine (i.e. a washing machines whichcan also dry the laundry), both of the front-loading type and of thetop-loading type.

With reference to the enclosed Figures, the tub 5 of the washing machine1 is connected to the external casing 2 via a flexible bellows 7,interposed between the frontal, opened, surface of the tub 5 facing theaccess opening 3, and the border of the latter.

Advantageously, the washing machine 1 comprises a washing/rinsing-liquiddispenser 8 (i.e. a device adapted to dispense water and/or water mixedwith washing or rinsing products) which comprises a box-shaped housing9, connected to the external casing 2, internally to the latter,preferably by suitable fixing means, comprising, for example, screws orrivets, not illustrated, or also glue, or welding.

In the enclosed Figures, the housing 9 is advantageously substantiallyparallelepiped, and it is connected to the frontal surface 2 a of theexternal casing 2, opportunely in an upper region of the latter,positioned above the tub 5.

The housing 9 contains a removable drawer 10 which can be extracted fromthe housing 9, such as to protrude from the external casing 2 in aloading position, illustrated for example in FIG. 2, or can be fullyinserted into the housing 9 in an operative position, illustrated forexample in FIGS. 1 and 3.

The drawer 10 is provided with one or more compartments 11 a, 11 b,adapted to be filled with washing and/or rinsing products, notillustrated, such as detergent, or softener.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, there are twocompartments, 11 a and 11 b, one adapted for receiving a detergent forwashing the laundry, and the other adapted to receive a softener; inanother embodiment, not illustrated, there could be for example anothercompartment, adapted, for example, to be filled with a pre-washdetergent.

The compartments 11 a, 11 b are fluidly connected to the bottom 9 a ofthe housing 9, particularly to the frontal portion of this bottom 9 a,in which an outlet port 12 is obtained, adapted to allow the flowing ofa liquid into a water line 13, which will be described in the following,fluidly connecting the washing/rinsing-liquid dispenser 8 and the tub 5.

It is underlined that in the present application saying that a firstcomponent is “fluidly separated” from a second component means that afluid can't flow from the first component to the second component orvice versa; on the contrary, saying that a first component is “fluidlyconnected” to a second component means that a fluid can flow from thefirst component to the second component and vice versa.

Advantageously, the washing/rinsing-liquid dispenser 8 comprises a waterdistributor 14, associated to the housing 9 and placed above the drawer10 in such a way to allow the flowing of water to the one or morecompartments 11 a, 11 b.

Advantageously, the water distributor 14 comprises two or more inletconnectors 15 a, 15 b, connectable, upstream, to a water source whichcould comprise, for example, the plumbing of the building in which thewashing machine 1 is installed.

It is underlined that in the present application the terms “upstream”and “downstream” are referred to the flowing direction of a liquidduring the standard functioning of the washing machine; for examplesaying that a first component is fluidly connected, upstream, to asecond component, means that in the standard functioning of the washingmachine a fluid enters firstly the second component, and then the firstcomponent; saying that a first component is fluidly connected,downstream, to a second component, means that in the standardfunctioning of the washing machine a fluid enters firstly the firstcomponent, and then the second component.

Advantageously the inlet connectors 15 a 15 b can be connected to thewater source via controllable valves 40, preferably of theelectromagnetic type, opportunely controlled by an electronic controldevice, also not illustrated, adapted to control the operations of thewashing machine 1. In the embodiments illustrated in the enclosedFigures, there are two inlet connectors 15 a, 15 b; each inlet connector15 a, 15 b can be connected, via a dedicated controllable valve 40, to awater source for the adduction of cold water.

In the embodiment illustrated in the enclosed Figures there is also afurther inlet connector 15 c connectable, upstream, via a dedicatedcontrollable valve, to a water source; the further inlet connector 15 ccan be fed with warm or hot water, for example obtained by a solarthermal collector; in a further embodiment, not illustrated, there couldbe more than one further inlet connectors, connected to one or morewater sources.

Advantageously, the inlet connectors 15 a, 15 b are fluidly connected,downstream, to an “air-gap” or “air break” 16, from which at least twoducts 17 a, 17 b branch off, fluidly connected to the inlet connectors15 a, 15 b, and each one fluidly communicating with a different region18 a, 18 b of the water distributor 14 which is positioned in such a wayto be placed above a different compartment 11 a, 11 b of the drawer 10when the latter is placed in the above mentioned operative position; theregions 18 a and 18 b of the water distributor 14 are provided with oneor more apertures 19, adapted to allow the passage of the water from theducts 17 a, 17 b, to the underlying compartment 11 a, 11 b.

As will be better explained in the following, by acting on thecontrollable valves, it is possible to selectively feed one or the otherduct 17 a or 17 b with water coming from the water source.

In another embodiment, not illustrated, in the drawer 10 there are morethan two compartments, and in the water distributor 14 there is an equalnumber of ducts, each one fluidly communicating with a different regionof the water distributor 14 which is positioned in such a way to beplaced above a different compartment of the drawer 10 when the latter isplaced in the above mentioned operative position; also in this case, byacting on the controllable valves, it is possible to selectively feed adesired duct with water coming from a water source.

In the embodiments illustrated in the enclosed Figures also the furtherconnector 15 c, which can be fed with warm or hot water, for exampleobtained by a solar thermal collector, is fluidly connected to theregion 18 a of the water distributor 14, in such a way to adduct alsowarm or hot water in the underlying compartment 11 a.

Advantageously the washing/rinsing-liquid dispenser 8 also comprises aby-pass line 20, fluidly connected, upstream, to at last one of theinlet connectors, opportunely extending (i.e. spreading, generating)substantially from the air-gap or air-break 16, and fluidly separatedfrom the compartments 11 a, 11 b; the by-pass line is also adapted toallow the flow of clean (or fresh) water from the water distributor 14to the tub 5, through the washing/rinsing-liquid dispenser 8.

The fact that the by-pass line 20 is fluidly separated from thecompartments 11 a, 11 b means that the by-pass line 20 is arranged insuch a way that a flow of clean (or fresh) water, coming from one ormore of the inlet connectors 15 a, 15 b and trespassing the air-gap orair-break 16, can enter the by-pass line 20 without entering one of theducts 17 a, 17 b.

As will be better explained in the following, by acting on thecontrollable valves 40 associated to the inlet connectors 15 a, 15 b, itis possible to feed the by-pass line 20 with the water coming from thewater source.

In the embodiment illustrated in the enclosed Figures, by opening onlythe controllable valve 40 connected to the inlet connector 15 b, a flowof clean or fresh water enters the water distributor 14, goes across theair-gap 16, and enters the by-pass line 20.

The by-pass line 20 provides therefore, through thewashing/rinsing-liquid dispenser 8, a passage for the clean or freshwater coming from the water delivery mains and directed to the tub 5,ensuring that this water doesn't enter into contact with the detergentor with the softener which could be present in thewashing/rinsing-liquid dispenser 8.

Advantageously, as it will be better explained in the following, theby-pass line 20 comprises a first conduit portion 21, obtained in aregion of the water distributor 14 not interested by the ducts 17 a and17 b, and fluidly connected, upstream, to one or more of the inletconnectors 15 a, 15 b; the first conduit portion 21 is opportunelyfluidly separated from the compartments 11 a, 11 b.

Advantageously, the first conduit portion 21 comprises also a tubularportion 21 a protruding towards the underlying drawer 9; clearly thetubular portion 21 a could also be not provided.

Opportunely the by-pass line 20 also comprises a second conduit portion22 fluidly connected, upstream, to the overlaying first conduit portion21; the second conduit portion 22 is fluidly connected, downstream, tothe tub 5, and it is fluidly separated from the compartments 11 a, 11 b.

In a first embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6, the first conduitportion 21 extends (i.e. spreads, generates) substantially from theair-gap or air-break 16 and it extends substantially longitudinallyalong the water distributor 14, almost up to the frontal end 14 a of thewater distributor 14. In this case the second conduit portion 22 isadvantageously provided in/at a lateral wall 9 b of the housing 9,opportunely near to the frontal end 9 c of the housing 9 opposite to theinlet connectors 15 a, 15 b.

Advantageously, the second conduit portion 22 illustrated in theembodiment of FIGS. 1 to 6 is obtained along an axis, not illustrated,substantially perpendicular to the bottom 9 a of the housing 9.

Advantageously, in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6 the secondconduit portion 22 is obtained in a single-piece construction with thehousing 9, in such a way to be fluidly separated from the compartments11 a, 11 b.

In a further embodiment, not illustrated, the second conduit portion 22can be comprised in a suitable external element (for example a pipe ortube), not illustrated, fixed to the lateral wall 9 b of the housing 9,for example by glueing or welding or joint.

In a second embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 9, the first conduitportion 21 is very short, and extends preferably towards the rear end 14b of the water distributor 14. Also in this case the first conduitportion 21 advantageously comprises also a tubular portion 21 aprotruding towards the underlying drawer 9; clearly the tubular portion21 a could also be not provided.

Opportunely, as indicated in FIG. 7, in this second embodiment the firstconduit portion 21 is, in a plan view, substantially semicircular.

Advantageously, also in this second embodiment the second conduitportion 22 is provided in/at a lateral wall 9 b of the housing 9; inthis case the second conduit portion 22 extends longitudinally along thelateral wall 9 b of the housing 9.

Advantageously, also in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 9 thesecond conduit portion 22 is obtained in a single-piece constructionwith the housing 9, in such a way to be fluidly separated from thecompartments 11 a, 11 b.

In a further embodiment, not illustrated, the second conduit portion 22can be comprised in a suitable external element (for example a pipe ortube), not illustrated, fixed to the lateral wall 9 b of the housing 9,for example by glueing or welding or joint.

In a third embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 10 to 15, the first conduitportion 21 is, in a plan view, substantially analogous to the oneillustrated in FIGS. 7 to 9, and comprises also a tubular portion 21 aprotruding towards the underlying drawer 9.

Advantageously, but not necessarily, the tubular portion 21 a can beobtained in a single-piece construction with the water distributor 14.

In this third embodiment the second conduit portion 22 is provided in/atin the drawer 10 and is arranged in such a way to be fluidly connected,upstream, when the drawer 10 is in the operative position, illustratedfor example in FIGS. 11 and 12, to the tubular portion 21 a of the firstconduit portion 21, and downstream to the tub 5.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 10 to 15, the second conduitportion 22 is obtained between the bottom 10 a of the drawer 10 and anexternal tray 50, fixed to said bottom 10 a; in a further embodiment,not illustrated, the second conduit portion 22 is obtained in asingle-piece construction with the drawer 10, in such a way that thissecond conduit portion 22 is fluidly separated from the compartments 11a, 11 b.

In this third embodiment the second conduit portion 22 is fluidlyconnected, downstream, to the water line 13 via a suitable aperture 24obtained in the housing 9 and fluidly separated from the outlet port 12.

The aperture 24 is arranged in such a way that it is dedicated for theflowing of clean or fresh water coming from the second conduit portion22; in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 10 to 15, the aperture 24 isadvantageously obtained in the housing 9 in a position higher than theoutlet port 12, in such a way that a liquid present in the bottom 9 a ofthe housing 9 can enter in the outlet port 12, but not in the aperture24.

Obviously the first conduit portion 21 obtained in the water distributor14, can have substantially any conformation (provided that it isobtained in a region of the water distributor 14 not interested by theducts 17 a and 17 b, that it is fluidly connected, upstream, to one ormore of the inlet connectors 15 a, 15 b, and that it is fluidlyseparated from the compartments 11 a, 11 b).

Alike, the second conduit portion 22 can be obtained only in the housing9, partially in the housing 9 and partially in the drawer 10, or totallyin the drawer 10, and it can have any shape (provided that it is fluidlyconnected, upstream, to the overlaying first conduit portion 21, fluidlyconnected, downstream, to the tub 5, and fluidly separated from thecompartments 11 a, 11 b).

In all the above mentioned embodiments, therefore, the by-pass line 20obtained in the washing/rinsing-liquid dispenser 8 is fluidly separatedfrom the compartments 11 a, 11 b, and allows the flowing, towards it, ofa flow of fresh or clean water coming from a controllable valveconnectable to a water source.

Advantageously, the above mentioned water line 13, fluidly connectingthe bottom 9 a of the housing 9 to the tub 5, in order to allow theflowing of the water mixed with the washing or rinsing productscontained in the compartments 11 a, 11 b into the tub 5, comprises oneor more single-piece elements (for example the ones indicated with thereference numbers 13 a and 13 b in the enclosed Figures) comprising afirst conduit 25, fluidly connecting the compartments 11 a, 11 b and thetub 5, and a second conduit 27, fluidly separated from the first conduit25, fluidly connectable, upstream, to a water source, and fluidlyconnected, downstream, to the tub 5.

Advantageously, the first and second conduits of each single-pieceelement are obtained in single-piece construction, preferably byinjection moulding of a plastic material, in such a way that the firstand the second ducts constitute a single-body.

Opportunely, but not necessarily, the first and second conduits of asingle-piece element are substantially parallel one another.

Advantageously, at least one of the one or more single-piece elementscan be obtained in a single-piece construction with the housing 9;alternatively, at least one of the one or more single-piece elements canbe fixed to the housing, preferably by welding and/or glueing, and/orjoint.

For example, in the embodiments illustrated in the enclosed Figures, thewater line 13 comprises two single-piece elements 13 a, 13 b, connectedin series in such a way that their first conduits 25 are fluidlyconnected one another, and their second conduits 27 are fluidlyconnected one another.

In these embodiments the single-piece element 13 a is opportunelyobtained in a single-piece construction with the housing 9, and it isfluidly connected, downstream, with a single-piece element 13 b which isin turn connected, downstream, to a suitable opening 26 obtainedpreferably in an upper region of the bellows 7.

The second conduit 27 of the single-piece element 13 a is opportunelyfluidly connected to the by-pass line 20, downstream of the latter, insuch a way that clean or fresh water can flow from the by-pass line 20to the second conduit 27.

Advantageously, the outlet 27 a of the second conduit 27 of thesingle-piece element 13 b is arranged in such a way that the flow ofclean or fresh water exiting from it is oriented towards the uppercentral region of the rotary perforated drum 6; this can be obtained bya proper shaping of the outlet 27 a, or by a suitable nozzle, notillustrated, fluidly connected to the outlet 27 a, or by a suitabledesign of the bellows 7 or of the opening 26 obtained in the latter.

In the example illustrated in the enclosed Figures, the outlet 27 a ofthe second conduit 27 of the single-piece element 13 b is positionedsubstantially in correspondence to the top portion of the bellows 7;this positioning of the outlet 27 a is however only preferable, but notnecessary.

Advantageously two contiguous single-piece elements (for example thesingle-piece elements 13 a and 13 b illustrated in the enclosed Figures)are watertight fixed one another preferably by welding, and/or bygluing, and/or by joint.

Opportunely, between two contiguous single-piece elements (for examplethe single-piece elements 13 a and 13 b illustrated in the enclosedFigures) there is a sealing element, not illustrated.

In another embodiment, not illustrated, there could be more than twosingle-piece elements connected in series one another.

In a further embodiment, also not illustrated, the water line 13comprises only one single-piece element, coinciding in this case withthe water line 13, obtained in a single-piece construction with thehousing 9.

In a further embodiment thereof, also not illustrated, the water line 13comprises only one single-piece element, coinciding also in this casewith the water line 13, which can be obtained, for example, by injectionmoulding of a plastic material, and which can be fixed to the housing 9,for example, by welding and/or glueing, and/or by joint.

Anyway, in all the embodiment hitherto illustrated, independently fromthe number of single-piece elements connected in series, the secondconduits 27 of the one or more single-piece elements 13 are fluidlyconnected, upstream, to the by-pass line 20, and, downstream, to the tub5, in such a way that a flow of fresh or clean water can flow from theby-pass line 20 to the second conduit 27.

However it is underlined that the second conduits 27 of the one or moresingle-piece elements 13 can also be fluidly connected, upstream, to thewater source directly, that is without being connected to a by-passline; in this case these second conduits 27 can be connected to a watersource, for example, via a suitable tube or pipe.

In a further embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17, the washingmachine 1 comprises also a recirculation circuit adapted to drain thewashing/rinsing-liquid (i.e. water or water mixed with washing orrinsing products) from the bottom of the tub 5 and to re-admit thisre-circulated washing/rinsing-liquid into an upper region of the tub 5,in order to improve the wetting of the laundry contained in the tub 5.

Advantageously, the recirculation circuit comprises a draining circuit,not illustrated, connected to the bottom of the tub 5 and provided witha pump, again not illustrated, adapted to take thewashing/rinsing-liquid from the bottom of the tub 5, and to re-admittingthe re-circulated washing/rinsing-liquid in the rotary perforated drum6, typically from an upper region of the latter, via an inlet tube 28.

In the washing machine 1 according to the invention, the inlet tube 28advantageously flows into the second conduit 27 or the single-pieceelement 13 b; in this way the second conduit 27 of the single-pieceelement 13 b can also be used to flow into the rotating drum 6 there-circulated washing/rinsing liquid.

Obviously, if the water line 13 comprises more than one single-pieceelements, the inlet tube 28 can flow in the second conduit of any ofsuch single-piece elements comprised in the water line 13.

The functioning of the washing machine according to the invention is thefollowing; with reference to the enclosed Figures, by opening thecontrollable valve 40 connected to the inlet connector 15 b, clean orfresh water, coming from the water source, enters the water distributor14, crosses the air-gap or air-break 16, and enters the by-pass line 20,from which it flows into the second conduits 27 of the water line 13,and finally enters the tub 5, and therefore the drum 6, through theopening 26 obtained in the bellows 7.

This clean or fresh water enters in the drum 6 form a frontal-upperregion of the latter, wetting the laundry contained therein.

After this initial wetting phase, by operating the controllable valves40, water can be introduced also in the ducts 17 a and/or 17 b, fromwhere it reaches one of or both the regions 18 a, 18 b, and then one ofor both the compartments 11 a, 11 b.

For example, with reference to FIG. 4, by opening only the controllablevalve associated to the inlet connector 15 a, clean water coming fromthe water source enters the water distributor 14, crosses the air-gap16, and enters the duct 17 a.

By opening both the controllable valves associated to the inletconnectors 15 a and 15 b, two jets, not illustrated, of clean watercoming from the water source, enter the water distributor 14, andconverge each other, substantially in correspondence to the air-gap 16,such as to generate a single jet which enters the duct 17 b.

In the compartments 11 a, 11 b, water mixes with the washing and rinsingproducts therein contained, and then flows in the tub 5 through thefirst conduits 25 of the water line 13.

As indicated above, if the washing machine 1 is provided with arecirculation circuit, during washing and rinsing phases thewashing/rinsing-liquid can be re-circulated in order to ensure a betterwetting of the laundry by such water; as disclosed above, thewashing/rinsing-liquid can be drained from the bottom of the tub 5, andre-admitted into the latter via the second conduit 27 of thesingle-piece element 13 b.

It is seen therefore how the invention achieves the proposed aim andobjects, there being provided a washing machine, which could be both a“simple” washing machine or also a washing-drying machine, which, thanksto the by-pass line, fluidly separated from the compartments adapted tobe filled with washing and/or rinsing products, allows introducingselectively in the tub clean or fresh water, without the risk that thelatter would come into contact with washing or rinsing agent beforeentering the tub.

Thanks to this by-pass line therefore, clean or fresh water can bedirectly adduced into the tub, and the laundry can be wetted in a fasterand more even way.

Moreover the presence of the by-pass line inside thewashing/rinsing-liquid dispenser, and the particular structure of thewater line fluidly connecting the washing/rinsing-liquid dispenser andthe tub allows introducing clean or fresh water in the tub, withoutincreasing the complexity or the dimensions of the circuit for theadduction of water and/or detergents to the tub, and reducing the costsfor assembly the circuit for the adduction of water and/or detergents tothe tub.

In addition, if the washing machine is provided with a recirculationcircuit, the connection of the inlet tube with the second duct of one ofthe one or more single-piece elements, allows reducing the complexityand the encumbrance of the recirculation circuit.

1. A washing machine comprising: a washing tub containing a rotaryperforated drum; a washing/rinsing-liquid dispenser comprising a housingand a drawer, removably associated to said housing, provided with one ormore compartments adapted to be filled with washing and/or rinsingproducts, said washing/rinsing-liquid dispenser comprising a waterdistributor provided with at last two inlet connectors, connectable,upstream, to a water source, and fluidly connected, downstream, to anair-gap from which at least two ducts branch off, said at least twoducts being fluidly connected to said inlet connectors and adapted forconveying water to said compartments; and a water line, fluidlyconnecting said washing/rinsing-liquid dispenser and said tub, wherein,said washing/rinsing-liquid dispenser comprises a by-pass line, fluidlyconnected, upstream, to at least one of said inlet connectors, andextending substantially from said air-gap, said by-pass line beingfluidly separated from said ducts and from said compartments, and beingadapted to allow the flow of clean water from saidwashing/rinsing-liquid dispenser to said tub.
 2. A washing machine,according to claim 1, wherein said by-pass line comprises a firstconduit portion extending substantially from said air-gap and obtainedin a region of said water distributor not occupied by said ducts, saidfirst conduit portion being fluidly connected, upstream, to one or moreof said inlet connectors, and being fluidly separated from said one ormore compartments.
 3. A washing machine, according to claim 2, whereinsaid first conduit portion extends, from said air-gap, substantiallylongitudinally across said water distributor towards a frontal end ofsaid water distributor.
 4. A washing machine, according to claim 2,wherein said first conduit portion extends towards the rear end of saidwater distributor.
 5. A washing machine, according to claim 1, whereinsaid by-pass line comprises a second conduit portion fluidly connected,upstream, to the first conduit portion, and, downstream, to said tub,said second conduit portion being fluidly separated from said one ormore compartments.
 6. A washing machine, according to claim 5, whereinsaid second conduit portion is provided in/at a lateral wall of saidhousing.
 7. A washing machine, according to claim 6, wherein said secondconduit portion is arranged in proximity to the frontal end of saidhousing, opposite to said inlet connectors.
 8. A washing machine,according to claim 6, wherein said second conduit portion extendssubstantially longitudinally along said lateral wall of said housing. 9.A washing machine, according to claim 5, wherein said second conduitportion is provided at least partially in/at said housing and at leastpartially in/at said drawer.
 10. A washing machine, according to claim5, wherein said second conduit portion is provided totally in/at saiddrawer.
 11. A washing machine, according to claim 10, wherein saidsecond conduit portion is obtained between the bottom of said drawer andan external tray fixed to said bottom.
 12. A washing machine, accordingto claim 10, wherein said second conduit portion is obtained in asingle-piece construction with said drawer, in such a way that saidsecond conduit portion is fluidly separated from said compartments. 13.A washing machine, according to claim 9, wherein said second conduitportion is fluidly connected, downstream, to said water line, via anaperture obtained in said housing.
 14. A washing machine, according toclaim 1, wherein said water line comprises one or more single-pieceelements comprising a first conduit, fluidly connecting said one or morecompartments and said tub, and a second conduit, fluidly separated fromsaid first conduit, said second conduit being fluidly connected,upstream, to said by-pass line, and being fluidly connected, downstream,to said tub, said first and second conduits being obtained insingle-piece construction.
 15. A washing machine, according to claim 1,wherein a recirculation circuit is provided, adapted to drain thewashing/rinsing-liquid from the bottom of said tub and to re-admit thisre-circulated washing/rinsing-liquid into an upper region of said tub,said recirculation circuit being fluidly connected to the second conduitof one of said one or more single-piece elements, in such a way thatsaid re-circulated washing/rinsing-liquid is admitted into said tub viasaid second conduit.